England’s most successful clubs of the past decade: Chelsea boast best trophy record, Liverpool only fifth, while Man City surpass United
It’s been an entertaining decade in English football, with so many stand-out moments from over the past ten years.
Man City’s iconic last-gasp title victory in May 2012 (Aguerrooooo) which was later followed by Chelsea becoming the first London side to win the Champions League are just a couple of highlights that spring to mind.
But Leicester City’s unforgettable and unlikely title triumph in the 2015/16 tops both of those accolades, considering the odds (5000-1!) were well and truly against the Foxes.
When it comes to the amount of silverware acquired by English sides over the last decade, one side stands clear at the top though – despite sacking six managers during that timeframe.
Below, talkSPORT.com have ranked England’s most successful clubs of the decade (based on major honours won) below.
*Domestic and major European trophies only, not including Super Cups or Club World Cups
9= Swansea and Birmingham – 1 Major trophy
Swansea secured the first major trophy in their 101-year history as they thrashed League Two side Bradford City 5-0 in the League Cup final at Wembley in February 2013, while Birmingham’s League Cup success in the 2010/11 season proved to be a bittersweet experience, as they suffered relegation to the Championship come May.
Obafemi Martins was the hero for the Blues as he pounced on a calamitous Arsenal defensive mix-up two minutes from time to secure the club’s first major silverware since 1963 with a 2-1 victory at Wembley.
7. Wigan – 1 Major trophy
Like Birmingham two years earlier, Wigan similarly ended up winning a silverware before being relegated in the same year.
Roberto Martinez’s men sprang a big shock by beating Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup, with Ben Watson scoring in the closing stages of the contest as the Latics won their first major trophy in their 81-year history.
6. Leicester City – 1 Major trophy
The impossible dream.
The Foxes were 5000/1 shots to lift the Premier League in the 2015/16 campaign, but against all the odds they produced the biggest fairytale in the history of football.
For that reason alone their achievements far surpass that of the other teams who have also won a single trophy in this decade.
5. Liverpool – 2 Major trophies
The Reds clinched a sixth European crown back in June after a 2-0 victory against Premier League rivals Tottenham, which sees them force their way into the top five of this list.
Jurgen Klopp sealed his first piece of silverware as Reds boss, with a Mohamed Salah penalty and a late strike from substitute Divock Origi securing them a well-deserved trophy from a mightily impressive 2018/19 campaign.
Their only other piece of silverware in the last decade came in the 2011/12 season, where they eventually got the better of Championship outfit on penalties (3-2) after the game finished 2-2 after extra time.
The FIFA Club World Cup sadly does not count as a major trophy given the format of the tournament.
4. Arsenal – 3 Major trophies
The Gunners haven’t had much to shout about over the last decade, but they have won the FA Cup on three occasions (2014, 2015 and 2017).
Arsenal are also the most successful English side of all time in the competition, lifting the trophy on 13 occasions so far.
3. Manchester United – 6 Major Trophies
The Red Devils are undoubtedly the most successful English football club in the world. Nonetheless, they have not been as prolific in terms of silverware in the last 10 years.
To date they’ve won one Europa League (2016/17), three Premier League titles (2010/11, 2012/13), one FA Cup (2015/16), and had three League Cup (2010, 2017) successes over the last decade.
2. Manchester City – 10 Major trophies
The Citizens have enjoyed a lots of success over the last decade. Since being bought by Abu Dhabi United Group they received considerable financial support, which had led to the acquisition of many top-class players, managers and ultimately silverware.
City won their first Premier League title in dramatic circumstances in 2012, scoring two injury-time goals to deny arch rivals United in one of the most iconic moments of the Premier League era.
They got their hands on the illustrious trophy again in 2014, before winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. They also become the first Premier League team to reach 100 points in one season.
During the last decade, City have also won the League Cup on four occasions (2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019), as well as the FA Cup two times (2011 and 2019).
Pep Guardiola will have his work out cut out in the 2019/20, having completed a domestic treble last season and Liverpool already 11 points clear of their title rivals heading into December.
1. Chelsea – 11 Major trophies
The Blues have much to thank Roman Abramovich for the success they have had over the past decade, which makes them the most successful English club, in terms of trophies won.
The Russian billionaire has plunged hundreds of millions into the west London club since purchasing them in 2003, with their silverware collection rather impressive to say the least.
Chelsea have won 19 trophies during Abrahmovich’s tenure, 11 of which came in the last ten years.
The Blues are the only London side to have ever won the Champions League, while they’ve also won the Premier League three times, lifted four FA Cups and one League Cup.
Chelsea also won the UEFA Europa League on two occasions, most recently in May.